Tag Archives: Notre Dame

Since Mid-February rumors have been spreading about the Big Ten and it’s desire to expand. The Big Ten currently has 11 teams(I know, it doesn’t make sense), and is looking to expand to at least 12 teams, possibly more.

The Big Ten, which is a history rich league, has a few schools on its radar that they might be looking at for expansion. Let’s take a look at a few of the schools:

– The number one school that is on the conference’s list is of course Notre Dame, who makes the most sense, but Notre Dame refuses to give in and join a conference. The Fighting Irish have been independent and can afford to do so due to their lucrative television contract with NBC. Their national following puts them at a different level then other schools. My guess, along with many experts, is that Notre Dame doesn’t give in, and remains independent.

-The next few schools all offer similar things to the Big Ten. Rutgers, Syracuse, and UConn all have a Northeast following, which is something that Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany wants. All three schools would give the Big Ten a New York and New England following. The main reason Delany and the Big Ten want the New York and the New England markets is because of their own television network(The Big Ten Network), which they are expecting to grow. Rumors say that if Notre Dame says no, the Big Ten’s next choice would be to add all three Big East schools.

– The University of Missouri is another school that is also in the mix to be added. Their Kansas City fan base would be a prize possession for the Big Ten.

Ok, so you might be asking why UConn would leave for the Big Ten. The school has been a part of the Big East for almost 30 years, and have a rich history within the conference. While this is true, no school would be able to turn down the money that the Big Ten would offer. It would be like your boss offering you a 200% raise at work. Would you decline? Probably not.

UConn is a good school for the Big Ten to choose because of its top tier basketball programs, as well as their up-and-coming football program. UConn has a large alumni base, which even extends into the midwest(Big 10 country). Another key that might help bring UConn into the Big Ten, is the President of the university. Mike Hogan, who has been at UConn for three years now, came from the Big Ten and the University of Iowa before heading to Storrs. His connections to other Big Ten administrations could help the cause.

So as a UConn fan, I would root for the Huskies to join the Big Ten. Yes, the Big East has a great tradition, but the Big Ten is going to take at least one Big East school, maybe more, and whoever is left behind is going to see a depleted Big East. While the basketball side of the Big East won’t take a huge hit, the football side will suffer a major loss if one of the eight football playing schools leave.

UConn to the Big Ten might sound crazy, but it might just be the right move for both the Huskies and the Big Ten.

What a day it was for the University of Connecticut. The UConn Huskies had two(well three, if you count the Women’s Basketball team’s 91-24 blowout win over Seaton Hall) huge victories on Saturday. The men’s basketball team defeated Big East Rival Notre Dame 82-70, for their first conference win of the year. Led by Stanley Robinson, who finished with 22 points and a career high 16 rebounds, the Huskies were able to beat the Fighting Irish for the third straight time. Robinson had some help from Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker, who both added double-doubles(each had 10 assists).

The second big victory of the day came all way down in Birmingham, Alabama. The UConn football team ended their season with a 20-7 victory over South Carolina in the Papa Johns.com Bowl. The Huskies had a dominating performance as they controlled the clock and the game. Senior Andre Dixon had 126 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries and was named the games MVP. The UConn defense also had a big day as they had countless big hits and sacks on the day, and held the Gamecock offense in check.

UConn head coach Randy Edsall made it clear that this was a huge victory for the Huskies, especially considering all they have gone through this year. “I couldn’t be more happy and thrilled for the players and the assistant coaches,” Edsall said. “We did an excellent job and got the kids to go out and execute and do the things we need to do and we came away with an outstanding victory. I couldn’t be more proud of those young men.”

The Huskies ended the season with an 8-5 record, and will head into next season with a lot of support and even higher expectations. The team returns the majority of their starters and will be heavily considered a preseason top-25 team and Big East favorite.

It is being reported the UConn Head Coach Randy Edsall, has been contacted by the University of Notre Dame about their head football coaching vacancy. It has been said by sources(ESPN’s Joe Schad) that Edsall has shown interest in coaching at Notre Dame.

UConn beat Notre Dame on November 21, 33-30 in Double Overtime, in the first ever game between the two teams. UConn’s win may have been the final straw for the Irish’s former coach, Charlie Weis.

As a UConn fan and student, I hope Coach Edsall stays at the University of Connecticut. He has built the UConn football program, and has made the Huskies a Big East powerhouse. The way he handled the tragedy of Jasper Howard, with class and grace, was something that has made him a very popular canidate for many coaching vacancies.

Coach Edsall has reason to return, as the Huskies will be playing South Carolina in the Papa Johns.com Bowl on January 2nd. The team also is considered to be a favorite to win the Big East next year, due to the fact that most of the team returns. Only 6 starting players will not return next fall.

UConn defeated Notre Dame 33-30 in Double overtime. It was a big win for not only the UConn players and coaches, but for the entire UConn community. All the fans who traveled out to South Bend to see the game, were treated with an instant classic, and it something many of them are thankful for. Marcus Lynam has more from South Bend.

When UConn traveled to South Bend, Indiana this past weekend to take on Notre Dame, I got to tag along. Ok, I didn’t really “tag along,” but I was lucky enough to cover the game for UCTV(they were nice enough to pay for the expenses…thank you very much fellow students, your tuition made this possible).

So there I was, at Notre Dame Stadium, on the sideline, for what very may well be “the best win” in UConn football history, according to head coach Randy Edsall. It was an amazing and unbelievable experience. To be on the field for that game, had to be one of the top-5 coolest moments of my life. Totally amazing.

My view of the game...

At the game, a fellow reporter, Vito Leo from the Mansfield Today, was standing next to me for much of the game. During the fourth quarter and overtime periods, Mr.Leo and myself couldn’t contain our excitement, and couldn’t keep our husky pride inside. Yes, I know there is an unwritten rule that says reporters cannot be fans, but for a veteran reporter and a student reporter, we both didn’t care. We were both jumping up and down and cheering as they game got into the later stages. Once Andre Dixon ran in the game winning score, the elderly Mr. Leo and myself ran onto the field with our cameras, while at the same time celebrating the win with the Huskies. A very funny, great experience that I will never forget.

After the game, Mr. Leo wrote a piece on the experiences of different people who traveled to Notre Dame, and your’s truly was one of his sources. (CLICK HERE TO READ HIS STORY) I had no idea I would be used in his story, but I was willing to help a fellow reporter out and became a very good source for Mr. Leo.

I went to the game as a reporter, but I was also used as a source. Either way, covering UConn’s 33-30 double OT victory over Notre Dame, was an amazing experience and I am so thankful to have been able to be apart of this great moment in UConn history.

UConn came into South Bend with a 4-5 record and with a 3-game losing streak. The Huskies hadn’t won a game since October 17th when they beat Louisville at home. Since that win against the Cardinals, the Huskies lost a teammate and brother in Jasper Howard and three heartbreaking games. The Huskies needed something good to happen, and it finally happened this past Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium.

The Huskies finally pulled out a close victory, as they defeated the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, 33-30, in double overtime. It was the first win for the team since the murder of Howard, and it was a very emotional victory. Head Coach Randy Edsall started crying while being interviewed after the game.

“You’ve got to understand what this team has gone through,” he said. “A couple of close games, and then you lose a teammate, you lose a brother, you lose a son, and you’re trying so hard to honor him by winning on the field. We hadn’t done that.”

Courtesy of the Hartford Courant

Coach Edsall called the victory, “the best win” the program has ever had. “We’re just thankful that we were able to finally put together a win,” Edsall said. “So now we can take a game ball and send it down to … the Howard family because I know one thing — that little No. 6 was looking down on us today.”

Connecticut running back Andre Dixon scores the winning touchdown in the second overtime period against Notre Dame during an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The Huskies were led by their running game. Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon both had outstanding games, and led the team to victory. Todman rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, but his biggest play came in the third quarter when he returned a kickoff 96-yards for a score. The touchdown tied the game at 17, and was the spark, the team needed for the comeback victory. Dixon had a great game as well, as he finished with 114 yards on 20 carries, and the game winning touchdown in the 2nd overtime.

“It’s a great feeling after all the games where we came up close and didn’t finish the game,” Dixon said. “I think this is the loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium get in all my time playing college football. It’s a great win.”

Courtesy of the Hartford Courant

Quarterback Zach Frazer, who transferred to UConn from Notre Dame, played a solid game, as he finished 12 of 25 passing for 141 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Frazer said the win was big for him. “It means a lot to me and it means a lot to this university,” he said. “We won this one for Jazz.”

With the win, the Huskies improve to 5-5 on the year, with two games remaining. The Huskies need just one more win to become bowl eligible. The team returns home next Saturday, when they take on Big East rival Syracuse at the Rent, with kick-off coming at noon.

The UConn Huskies travel to South Bend, IN this Saturday(11-21-09) to take on the Fighting Irish, for the first time in school history. Head Coach Randy Edsall realizes that it’s a great opportunity for the program, but makes it clear that it’s just another game on the schedule. Marcus Lynam has more from Storrs, CT.

After a much needed bye week, the UConn Huskies are back on the field this week to prepare for their first ever meeting with College Football power house, Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish come into the game as losers of two straight, the last loss being to another Big East team in Pittsburgh. Notre Dame is always in the news, and this week is no different. After what can be looked at as a dissapointing season thus far, Head Coach Charlie Weis is under pressure and is in jeopardy of losing his job.

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis

UConn hopes that the Irish continue to struggle, as they themselves look for their first win since beating Louisville on October 17. Since that victory the Huskies have gone through a tough three and half weeks, with tragically losing a teammate and brother in Jasper Howard, losing starting quarterback Cody Endres for the rest of the year to a shoulder injury, and losing three straight games in heartbreaking fashion. Head Coach Randy Edsall has even pondered how much his team can take, “I just don’t know how much more we can take. We’ll just keep fighting, that’s all i know to do.”

After a week off to relax, clear their heads and get back to just playing football, the Huskies can go out and not only compete, but come through with a victory at Notre Dame. It will be the Huskies first ever football game against Notre Dame, even though all other UConn sports compete against the Fightin’ Irish in Big East Conference competition.

One of the big story lines in this week’s game is that UConn quarterback Zach Frazer will be looking for some redemption against his former team, as he transfered to UConn from Notre Dame. Frazer was one of the nation’s top quarterbacks coming out of high school, and chose to play for Charlie Weis. However, his stay was short lived, as he transfered after his freshman year when it became clear that he wasn’t going to be the guy under center for the Irish (that job of course went to the blond-haired, Southern California raised, prized recruit, Jimmy Clausen). Frazer hopes to play well against his former team, and bring home a victory for UConn. He just needs to play relaxed and try and not get caught up in all the “hoop-la,” that is Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

The Huskies, lead by Frazer, hope to silence the “echoes” and keep Touch-Down Jesus on their side this weekend. The game will be nationaly televised on NBC (just as every Notre Dame home game is), with Kick-off at 2:30pm ET.

In trying to recap UConn’s 47-45 loss to #5Cincinnati, I feel I could write the same story I’ve written four previous times this year. The Huskies lost for the third straight week, for the fifth time this year, and once again in heartbreaking fashion.

Trailing 30-10 heading into the second half, the Huskies began the comeback. UConn scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter as running back Jordan Todman scored a touchdown on a 46-yard run and senior cornerback Robert McClain had an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown. After another Cincinnati score, the Huskies were down 37-24 at the start of the fourth quarter, but two more Todman touchdowns put the Huskies within two at 40-38. UConn went for two, but quarterback Zach Frazer was sacked. Still down two, the Huskies forced the Bearcats into a fourth down with around two minutes to go in the game. Instead of kicking a short field goal Cincinnati elected to go for it. Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead broke free from the UConn defense to run in a 14-yard score putting Cincy back up by nine with just 1:52 remaining in the game. However the Huskies weren’t done yet, as they drove down the field and scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Frazer to reciever Marcus Easley with 13 seconds to go. The Huskies tried an onside kick, which was recovered by Cincy, ending the game.

Courtesy of the Hartford Courant

Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros was the difference maker as he thew for 480 yards and accounted for three touchdowns.

The Huskies showed once again that they can compete with anyone on their schedule, even the top-5 rated Cincinnati Bearcats. The heart and effort shown by the Huskies was something special, however they couldn’t get over the hump once again to get the victory. The Huskies pulled off several big plays that took the game down to the closing minutes, just like all of theirs this season. UConn’s five losses have come by a combined 15 points.

“It never gets easier to take,” Todman said. “We’re going to have to deal with it. It’s been a tough, tough year. We have to learn to finish.”

Courtesy of the Hartford Courant

Todman had a career day for the Huskies, as he had a career best four touchdowns to go along with 162 yards, also a career high.

Frazer, who made just his third start of the season after taking over for the injured Cody Endres, played efficiently. He threw no interceptions and completed 19 of 32 for 261 yards and a touchdown.

UConn, now 4-5 on the year, and 1-4 in the Big East, has the week off. They return to the field November 21st, when they travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Coach Randy Edsall and his entire staff have to be proud of the way the team fought till the end. After the last three weeks, which included three heartbreaking losses and the loss of Jasper Howard, the Huskies are still looking for their first victory since the tragedy.

“I’ll tell you, this team showed grit, determination,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said. “You can use any adjective you want but we just came up short. I’m running out of things to tell them after games like this.”